Investment · Retirement · Alberta
Alberta Seniors Benefit estimator.
Alberta's monthly benefit for lower-income seniors is a simple formula: a maximum amount, reduced by about 12 to 17 cents for every dollar of income that counts.
For a single homeowner, renter or lodge resident the maximum is $3,946 a year at $0 counted income, falling by 17.14 cents per dollar. For a couple it is $5,918 falling by 17.17 cents per dollar. Counted income is your line 15000 total income minus OAS, GIS and a few other deductions.
Inputs
Estimated benefit
Fill the form and press Estimate.
Worked example
A single homeowner reports $30,000 total income (line 15000), of which $9,000 is OAS, with no GIS, employment income or other deductions. Income used to calculate the benefit is $30,000 − $9,000 = $21,000. The reduction is 0.1714 × $21,000 = $3,599.40, so the benefit is $3,946 − $3,599.40 = $346.60 a year, about $28.88 a month. The default inputs on this page reproduce this example. The OAS figure is illustrative, so enter your own.
How the formula works
Alberta publishes a maximum annual benefit and a phase-out rate for each household type. The benefit is the maximum minus the rate times your counted income, and never below $0. Counted income starts from line 15000 (combined with your spouse or partner) and subtracts OAS, GIS and Allowance, RDSP income, social assistance, RPP and RRSP deductions, the split-pension deduction, up to $3,600 of employment income, a CPP death benefit and any Heroes’ Compensation Act lump sum. It cannot go below $0.
| Category | Max per year | Phase-out rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single, homeowner / renter / lodge | $3,946 | 0.1714 |
| Single, other residence | $2,749 | 0.1194 |
| Couple, homeowner / renter / lodge | $5,918 | 0.1717 |
| Couple, other residence | $5,496 | 0.1594 |
Alberta also gives guideline income levels (effective July 1, 2026) for people receiving full OAS: $32,690 for a single senior and $53,800 for a couple. Those include OAS, so they sit above the counted-income cutoff this tool shows.
Source, read 1 October 2026: Government of Alberta, “Alberta Seniors Benefit”, alberta.ca/alberta-seniors-benefit (figures effective July 1, 2026). The official calculator is the Seniors Benefit Estimator at seniors.alberta.ca. Figures change when Alberta updates the program, so check the page for the current rates.
What this tool leaves out
Continuing care residents (Supplementary Accommodation Benefit), couples who must live apart for health reasons, the first-time income-estimate exception, and the alternative employment deduction based on line 22900 are not modelled. You must also receive OAS, be 65 or older, and have lived in Alberta for at least 3 months, and deferring OAS makes you ineligible.
Frequently asked questions
Whose income counts for a couple?
Your income combined with your spouse or partner’s, regardless of the partner’s age. If one of you has a negative income, such as a business loss, it counts as $0 when combined. Enter the combined figures here, with any negative income already set to $0.
Which year’s income is used?
The previous calendar year, January to December. First-time applicants who have never received benefits can use an income estimate for the current year instead.
Why is my counted income so much lower than my tax return income?
Alberta subtracts OAS and GIS first, plus other listed items, so a senior living mostly on OAS and GIS often has counted income near $0 and gets close to the maximum.
Do I have to apply?
Yes, you apply through Alberta Seniors Financial Assistance, online, by paper or by calling the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992. This tool only estimates and does not apply for you.
Estimate only
This tool applies the formula inputs published by the Government of Alberta and nothing is sent anywhere. Your actual benefit is decided by Alberta Seniors Financial Assistance from your tax information. Confirm with the official Seniors Benefit Estimator or the program before relying on this figure.